Q31. All of the following are examples of intensive subsistence agriculture EXCEPT:
World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops: RAS Prelims MCQs
79 RAS Prelims MCQs on world agriculture cover farming types and systems and the major crops. Mixed farming, Mediterranean agriculture, shifting cultivation, commercial dairy farming and the processing of crops like cotton and jute are asked as definitions, locations and sequences, and the explanations give the reasons behind each pattern.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 79 questions
Q32. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The yield per acre in intensive subsistence farming is relatively high.
Reason (R): Farmers use every bit of available land and often practice multiple cropping due to high population pressure. In the light of the above statements, select the correct answer from the options given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The yield per acre in intensive subsistence farming is relatively high.
Reason (R): Farmers use every bit of available land and often practice multiple cropping due to high population pressure. In the light of the above statements, select the correct answer from the options given below:
Explanation
Due to severe population pressure and limited land availability, farmers in intensive subsistence systems utilize every available space. They practice multiple cropping and apply significant manual labor and organic manures to maximize the harvest from small plots. This intense use of resources results in a high yield per unit of land, even though total output per laborer remains low.
Q33. Consider the following statements regarding mixed farming:
I. It is commonly found in the highly developed parts of the world, e.g., North-western Europe and Eastern North America.
II. Fodder crops like alfalfa and clover are an important component of this system.
III. It strictly avoids the rearing of animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is commonly found in the highly developed parts of the world, e.g., North-western Europe and Eastern North America.
II. Fodder crops like alfalfa and clover are an important component of this system.
III. It strictly avoids the rearing of animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Mixed farming is a sophisticated system prevalent in developed regions like Western Europe and North America. It involves a balanced integration of crop cultivation and livestock rearing. Fodder crops such as alfalfa and clover are essential, as they provide nutrition for animals and help fix nitrogen in the soil. The inclusion of cattle and sheep is a defining characteristic.
Q34. Match the agricultural practices in List I with their defining characteristics in List II.
| Practice | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| A. Dairy Farming | i. Highly mechanized, large farms, low yield per acre but high yield per person. |
| B. Mediterranean Agriculture | ii. Capital intensive, focused on milch animals, labor intensive throughout the year. |
| C. Shifting Cultivation | iii. Slash and burn technique, low technological input. |
| D. Commercial Grain Farming | iv. Specialized in orchard farming, viticulture, tolerant of summer droughts. |
Explanation
Dairy farming is capital and labor-intensive, focusing on milch animals year-round. Mediterranean agriculture is known for specialized viticulture and orchard farming adapted to dry summers. Shifting cultivation uses the slash-and-burn technique with low technological input. Commercial grain farming is highly mechanized on large farms, resulting in high yield per person despite lower yield per acre than intensive systems.
Q35. Consider the following statements about dairy farming:
I. It is highly capital intensive due to requirements for animal sheds, storage facilities, and milking machines.
II. It requires intensive labor for feeding and milking, with little or no off-season during the year.
III. The development of transportation and refrigeration has expanded its market reach.
IV. It is the dominant form of agriculture in the arid deserts of the Middle East.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. It is highly capital intensive due to requirements for animal sheds, storage facilities, and milking machines.
II. It requires intensive labor for feeding and milking, with little or no off-season during the year.
III. The development of transportation and refrigeration has expanded its market reach.
IV. It is the dominant form of agriculture in the arid deserts of the Middle East.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Dairy farming is not a dominant agricultural practice in arid deserts due to the lack of fresh fodder and water. It is a highly capital-intensive industry requiring modern sheds, machinery, and cooling systems. The development of transportation and refrigeration has significantly expanded its reach to global markets. Most commercial operations are located in temperate regions near urban centers.
Q36. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of Mediterranean agriculture?
Explanation
Mediterranean agriculture is a highly specialized commercial system found in regions with a Mediterranean climate. It focuses on the production of high-value crops such as citrus fruits, olives, and grapes. Viticulture, or grape cultivation, is a hallmark of this system, often supporting a significant wine industry. The system is well-adapted to the unique seasonal rhythm of dry summers.
Q37. Consider the following statements regarding farming systems based on moisture availability:
I. Dry land farming emphasizes techniques to conserve soil moisture, such as mulching.
II. Irrigated farming ensures multiple cropping in areas that would otherwise remain barren due to lack of rainfall.
III. Dry land farming predominantly cultivates water-intensive crops like sugarcane.
IV. The Indira Gandhi Canal has facilitated irrigated farming in north-western Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Dry land farming emphasizes techniques to conserve soil moisture, such as mulching.
II. Irrigated farming ensures multiple cropping in areas that would otherwise remain barren due to lack of rainfall.
III. Dry land farming predominantly cultivates water-intensive crops like sugarcane.
IV. The Indira Gandhi Canal has facilitated irrigated farming in north-western Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Dry land farming focuses on moisture conservation techniques like mulching and cultivating drought-resistant crops. Irrigated farming allows for multiple crops in arid regions by providing a stable water supply. The Indira Gandhi Canal is a prime example of irrigation transforming desert landscapes in Rajasthan. Water-intensive crops like sugarcane are unsuitable for dry land farming and require reliable irrigation to thrive.
Q38. Which of the following physical requirements is essential for the successful cultivation of wet paddy?
Explanation
Wet paddy cultivation requires specific environmental conditions, including high temperatures above twenty-five degrees Celsius and high humidity. The crop needs significant water, typically requiring an annual rainfall of over one hundred centimeters or reliable irrigation. Fields must be flooded during the early growth stages, making soil that retains moisture, such as clayey alluvium, much more suitable for this purpose.
Q39. Consider the following statements regarding the geographical distribution of wheat:
I. Wheat is primarily a crop of the mid-latitude grasslands.
II. The Steppes of Eurasia and Prairies of North America are major wheat belts.
III. Wheat cultivation requires a heavy rainfall of over 200 cm annually.
IV. Punjab and Haryana are major wheat-producing states in India.
V. It thrives best in well-drained loamy and clayey soils.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Wheat is primarily a crop of the mid-latitude grasslands.
II. The Steppes of Eurasia and Prairies of North America are major wheat belts.
III. Wheat cultivation requires a heavy rainfall of over 200 cm annually.
IV. Punjab and Haryana are major wheat-producing states in India.
V. It thrives best in well-drained loamy and clayey soils.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Wheat is a staple crop primarily grown in mid-latitude grasslands, including the Eurasian Steppes and North American Prairies. In India, Punjab and Haryana are major producers. The crop thrives in well-drained loamy soils and requires a cool growing season followed by bright sunshine. Contrary to water-intensive crops, wheat does not need heavy rainfall and grows best with moderate moisture.
Q40. In the United States, maize (corn) is primarily utilized for which of the following purposes?
Explanation
In the United States, the vast majority of maize, commonly known as corn, is utilized as livestock feed to support the massive meat and dairy industries. It is a high-energy source for cattle, hogs, and poultry. While some corn is used for human consumption and industrial products like ethanol, its primary economic role is supporting the animal agriculture sector.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (b) Large-scale mechanized cultivation of wheat in the Canadian Prairies. |
| 32 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 33 | (a) I and II only |
| 34 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
| 35 | (b) IV only |
| 36 | (c) It is a specialized commercial system focused on citrus, grapes, and olives. |
| 37 | (a) I, II and IV only |
| 38 | (d) High temperatures above 25°C, high humidity, and annual rainfall exceeding 100 cm. |
| 39 | (a) I, II, IV and V only |
| 40 | (c) Used as livestock feed to support the meat and dairy industries. |
Key facts from World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
- Mixed farming gives equal emphasis to crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
- Mediterranean agriculture is specialised in olives, grapes and citrus fruits.
- Shifting cultivation leads to deforestation and loss of soil fertility in the tropics; in Brazil it is known as Roca.
- Commercial dairy farms are located near urban centres that provide a ready market for fresh milk.
- In the United States maize is used mostly as livestock feed.
- Retting separates the fibre from the jute stem by soaking bundles in water.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops?
This page has 79 practice MCQs on World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is mixed farming?
A type of farming in which equal emphasis is placed on growing crops and rearing animals. It is common in the developed countries of the temperate zone, and the two activities support each other, since crop waste feeds animals and animals provide manure.
Which crops are typical of Mediterranean agriculture?
Olives, grapes and citrus fruits, which suit the hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters of the Mediterranean climate. The region is also known for its wine and for orchard crops grown on terraces.
What is retting?
Retting is the soaking of jute bundles in water so that the fibre separates from the stem. The microbes in the water rot the soft tissue, after which the fibre is stripped, washed and dried.